In the midst of a tumultuous season, the New Orleans Saints are grappling with the harsh reality of their inconsistent performance. Despite boasting a potent offense that averages 31.8 points per game, the team has struggled to close out games, resulting in a series of heartbreaking losses.
Coach Dennis Allen is well aware of the team’s capabilities, citing their statistical prowess as the top-scoring offense in the league. However, he also acknowledges the Saints’ Achilles’ heel: their inability to finish strong. “Sucks to lose a game like that,” Allen lamented after a narrow 26-24 defeat to the Atlanta Falcons. “Those are the kinds of games that rip your heart out.”
The Saints’ woes are not new; they have been plagued by close losses since early in the 2023 season. In Week 3, they blew a lead to the Green Bay Packers, and subsequent losses to the Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Minnesota Vikings, Detroit Lions, and Los Angeles Rams have followed a similar pattern.
Running back Alvin Kamara echoed his coach’s sentiments, emphasizing the importance of winning close games. “When you play a lot of football in this league, you realize that blowing people out and doing all that, that doesn’t matter. That’s fanfare,” Kamara said. “These type of games? These are the type of games that matter. When it’s nail-biting, one score… these are the games that winning teams win.”
As the Saints prepare to face the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday night, they must regroup and refocus. The Chiefs, defending Super Bowl champions, pose a formidable challenge, with a well-coached team and an outstanding quarterback. Coach Allen is under no illusions about the task ahead, acknowledging that the Chiefs are a “really good team” that will test the Saints’ mettle.
Injuries have also taken a toll on the Saints, with key players such as tight end Taysom Hill, linebacker Demario Davis, and safety Tyrann Mathieu nursing various ailments. Despite these setbacks, the team remains resolute, with Kamara emphasizing their toughness and determination. “We’ve got a lot of tough dudes… We scratch, we claw… I think we’re a violent team. We’re a tough team. We find ways to put ourselves in position to win. We just have to win. That’s it.”
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